Improvement in window-shade fixtures



c. de aulLLFELnT.

Window-'Shade Fixture.

NCL-159,803. *"Patemedfebwwaw.

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GHARLESVDE QUILLFELDT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT iN WINDOW-SHADE FIXTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,03, dated February16, 1875; application tiled October 24, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES DE QUILL- FELDT, of the city, county, andState of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inShade-Fixtures, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents afront elevation of myimproved shadefixture applied to a window-curtain 5 Fig. 2, a verticallongitudinal section of the same 5 Fig. 3, a detail inside view of theroller-cap; and Fig. 4, a vertical transverse view through the fixtureon the line c c, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to such an improvement in that class ofshade-fixtures in which the shade-roller is provided with an interiorspiral spring for winding up the shade in an automatic manner, so as toallow the positive stoppage and retention of the shade at any desirablepoint or height on the release of the shade, without any chance orpossibility of the rapid winding up and tearing of the shade by thecontinuous and unchecked action of the spiral spring.

The main objection to the shade-fixtures with spring rollers patentedheretofore has been the sudden escape of the shade from the hands of theperson trying to adjust the saine by the action ofthe spring, so thatthe shade is wound up with great rapidity around the roller, and exposedto damage and injury in consequence of it. This happens often to personsconversant with the peculiarities of these rollers, and still morefrequently to persons who are not familiar with them, they being notaware that a repeated pulling at the tassel and feeling for the pawl isnecessary until the same engages the notched hub or ratchet of theroller, and retains the shade in position. This causes sometimes greatannoyance and a distrust to this class of curtain-fixtures, though theyare by their other advantages greatly preferable to the common cord orother rollerturning devices.

My invention is designed to obviate this defeet of the present springshade-fixtures, and produce the absolute and positive stopping of theshade at any desired point, by means of a notched or recessed hub of thespring-roller,

having sliding or eccentrically-pivoted disks or equivalent devices, inconnection with a covering roller-cap, provided with a cam orbrake-piece for stopping the roller and disks when turned in onedirection by the spring, but admitting the passage of the disks inopposite direction for the unwinding of the shade.

In the drawing, A represents a windowshade 5 B, its roller, having aspiral spring, C, fitted within the interior hollow part of the same,said spring being arranged in such a manner that it has a tendency toturn the roller and wind up the shade. The spring-roller B is hung byits projecting axle or shaft ends a, of which one has flattened sides,in such a manner to the supporting-brackets that the shaft is retainedstationary in the same, while the roller turns readily on the shaft.cessed plate or hub, D, is screwed or otherwise attached to the end ofroller B, and supplied within the recesses with sliding oreccentrically-pivoted disks D', of a size corresponding to the recesses,or with pawls, balls, or other equivalent devices, in connection withtwo or more recesses of the hub, provided that they are arranged in sucha manner that on the sudden release of the shade, and consequently rapidturning of the roller, they are, by centrifugal power, thrown beyondvthe periphery of the hub, while by the slow and easy rotation of theroller they return, when the recesses approach the upper verticalposition, by their own weight, back into the same. The sliding disks Dare inclosed by a cap, E, keyed to the roller-shaft, so as to protectand cover the interior parts. Gap E is provided at the innercircumference with a, cam or brake, Ef, of triangular shape, the shorterand steeper side of which is arranged toward the direction of theroller-motion when winding up, as caused by the spiral spring, While theother longer and gently inclined side is arranged toward the opposite orunwinding direction of the roller. The apex of the triangular cam E' eX-tends nearly up to the circumference of the hub, but without coming incontact therewith. The unwinding motion of the roller carries the disksagainst the longer side of the cam, and slides them easily back into therecesses of the hub, while the opposite motion of the roller, especiallyon the quick release of the shade,

Are-g throws the disks toward `the circumference of the cap, and bringsthem in sudden contact with the shorter cam or brake side, being firmlyretained by the projecting hub parts, so as to stop instantly andpositively the shade at any height on releasing the same.

When it is desired to Wind up the shade entirely, or to any suitablelength, the roller is allowed, by taking gently hold of the shade, torotate slowly, so as to give the disks time to return to the recessesbefore coming in contact With the cam, and to pass, therefore, be 10Wthe apex of the same without being retained. The roller may be taken offthe brackets, the rotation of the roller being stopped in similarmanner, so that no unwinding of the spring is possible, and the rollerthereby 'retained in regular order and effective working for any lengthof time.

Having thus described my invention,I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters l at Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, T. B. MosHER.

